Acting President

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Article 65 · Topic: Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Executive"

Meaning

Under Art. 65, the Vice-President acts as President when the President's office falls vacant through death, resignation or removal. This lasts until a new President takes office, and the election must be held within six months. The Vice-President also does the President's work when the President cannot because of absence or illness. While acting as President, the Vice-President does not act as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and gets the President's pay.

Example

V.V. Giri became Acting President in 1969 after President Zakir Husain died. B.D. Jatti did the same in 1977 after President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed died.

Don't confuse with

  • President (Discharge of Functions) Act 1969: it covers the case where both the President's and the Vice-President's offices are vacant. Then the Chief Justice of India acts.

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